The Lagos State Government has shut down five orphanage homes over the past year following serious allegations of baby trafficking and multiple infractions of the Lagos State Child Rights Law of 2015.
This revelation was made by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held on Tuesday in Ikeja as part of the activities marking the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
Ogunlende explained that the closures are part of an ongoing government crackdown aimed at rooting out illegal and unethical practices in child care facilities across the state. He noted that the affected orphanages were found culpable after investigations confirmed violations ranging from unlawful adoption practices to poor welfare standards.
“Any facility discovered to be involved in unwholesome acts, including child trafficking, will not be spared. We have documented evidence and our records are clear,” the commissioner stated firmly.
He further disclosed that a dedicated monitoring and compliance team under the Ministry of Youth and Social Development has been actively carrying out routine and intelligence-based inspections of orphanages and child care homes. This team, he said, ensures that such establishments adhere strictly to the regulatory frameworks guiding their operations.
“Our monitoring officers are constantly on the ground. We are ensuring that all licensed homes operate in line with the law and maintain high ethical standards,” Ogunlende said.
In addition to regulatory enforcement, the commissioner highlighted other strides made by the ministry in youth empowerment and child protection. He stated that over 4,000 young people had been trained in various vocational fields, including tailoring, fish farming, shoemaking, catering, and information and communication technology (ICT), all within the last year.
“We have invested significantly in our young population through targeted skills acquisition and empowerment programmes. Our goal is to foster self-reliance and reduce youth unemployment,” he remarked.
Ogunlende also revealed that more than 200 vulnerable children had been rescued and rehabilitated within the same period. These children, he said, were taken out of exploitative environments and placed in safe, government-approved facilities where they are receiving care, education, and psychosocial support.
“Each child we rescue is a life saved. Many of them are victims of abuse, neglect, or trafficking. We are restoring their dignity and giving them a second chance at life,” he added.
He reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to child protection and reiterated its zero tolerance for any form of abuse, trafficking, or exploitation of minors. The commissioner assured Lagosians that surveillance and enforcement actions would be intensified in the coming months to ensure all child-focused institutions remain compliant.
As Lagos continues to strengthen its institutional frameworks for child welfare and youth development, the government has sent a strong message to operators of orphanages and related facilities: adhere to the law or face decisive action.
